Machig Labdron and the Foundations of Chod

by Jerome Edou

Machig Labdron is popularly considered to be both a dakini and a deity, an emanation of Yum Chenmo, or Prajnaparamita, the embodiment of the wisdom of the buddhas. Historically, this Tibetan woman, a contemporary of Milarepa, was an adept and outstanding teacher, a mother, and a founder of a unique transmission lineage known as the Chöd of Mahamudra. This translation of the most famous biography of Machig Labdron, founder of the unique Mahamudra Chöd tradition, is presented together with a comprehensive overview of Chöd's historical and doctrinal origins in Indian Buddhism and its subsequent transmission to Tibet.

Chöd refers to cutting through the grasping at a self and its attendant emotional afflictions. Most famous for its teaching on transforming the aggregates into an offering of food for demons as a compassionate act of self-sacrifice, Chöd aims to free the mind from all fear and to arouse realization of its true nature, primordially clear bliss and emptiness.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 1995

About the author

Jérôme Edou has been studying with Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche since 1976. He has been an interpreter for various lamas for more than ten years and is an author and translator of works on Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.

Reviews

[Stephen Blache · Rating 5 out of 5]

A learned introduction to the Mahamudra Chod tradition. A special book for those looking for significant females that have influenced Buddhism! Full of.wonderful quotes to study and contemplate.

[Thomas Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The translation feels a little old now, but it's generally quite a gem, and of course essential reading for Chöd practitioners. DO NOT BUY THE KINDLE EDITION: It clearly hasn't been proof read and is riddled with orthographic errors.

[Nathan Springer]

Good Book.